Helps identify problems in an

information system.
Each letter stands for a potential problem
Performance
A performance
problem means
that an
information
system does not
respond quickly
enough to users
or takes too
long to
complete
processing
tasks.
Information
An information
problem means
that users dont
receive the right
information at
the right time, in
a usable format.
Economics
An economics
problem means
that the system
costs too much
to use.
Control
A control
problem means
that information
is available to
unauthorized
users or that
authorized
users are not
given the
authority to
make decisions
based on
information they
receive.
Efficiency
An efficiency
problem means
that too many
resources are
used to collect,
process, store,
and distribute
information.
Service
A service
problem means
that the system
is too difficult or
inconvenient to
use.
Wetherbe's PIECES framework

PERFORMANCE
Problems, Opportunities, and Directives

A. Throughput the amount of work performed over
some period of time.


B. Response time the average delay between a
transaction or request and a response to that
transaction or request


Wetherbes PIECES
framework


INFORMATION (and Data)
Problems, Opportunities, and Directives

A. Outputs
1. Lack of any information
2. Lack of necessary information
3. Lack of relevant information
4. Too much information ``information overload''
5. Information that is not in a useful format
6. Information that is not accurate
7. Information that is difficult to produce
8. Information is not timely to its subsequent use

Wetherbes PIECES
framework
INFORMATION
B. Inputs
1. Data is not captured
2. Data is not captured in time to be useful
3. Data is not accurately captured -- contains errors
4. Data is difficult to capture
5. Data is captured redundantly -- same data captured
more than once
6. Too much data is captured
7. Illegal data is capture

C. Stored Data
1. Data is stored redundantly in multiple files and/or
databases
2. Stored data is not accurate (may be related to #1)
3. Data is not secure to accident or vandalism
4. Data is not well organized
5. Data is not flexible not easy to meet new
information needs from stored data
6. Data is not accessible

ECONOMICS
Problems, Opportunities, and Directives

A. Costs
1. Costs are unknown
2. Costs are untraceable to source
3. Costs are too high

B. Profits
1. New markets can be explored
2. Current marketing can be improved
3. Orders can be increased

CONTROL (and Security)
Problems, Opportunities, and Directives

A. Too little security or control (continued)
1. Input data is not adequately edited
2. Crimes are (or can be) committed against data
a. Fraud b. Embezzlement
3. Ethics are breached on data or information
refers to data or information letting to
unauthorized people
4. Redundantly stored data is inconsistent in
different files or databases
5. Data privacy regulations or guidelines are being
(or can be) violated
6. Processing errors are occurring (either by people,
machines, or software)
7. Decision-making errors are occurring

B. Too much security or control
1. Bureaucratic red tape slows the system
2. Controls inconvenience customers or employees
3. Excessive controls cause processing delays


EFFICIENCY
Problems, Opportunities, and Directives

A. People, machines, or computers waste time
1. Data is redundantly input or copied
2. Data is redundantly processed
3. Information is redundantly generated

B. People, machines, or computers waste materials and
supplies

C. Effort required for tasks is excessive

D. Materials required for tasks is excessive

SERVICE
Problems, Opportunities, and Directives

A. The system produces inaccurate results
B. The system produces inconsistent results
C. The system produces unreliable results
D. The system is not easy to learn
E. The system is not easy to use
F. The system is awkward to use
G. The system is inflexible to new or exceptional
situations
H. The system is inflexible to change
I. The system is incompatible with other systems
J. The system is not coordinated with other systems